Bypassing (recovering) a cisco router or switch password is pretty easy to do.
- First, we need to reboot the router/switch and interrupt the boot sequence by hitting CRTL+BREAK key. After doing this, we will enter something that is called a ROM monitor mode
- Next, we need to change the configuration register to turn on the bit 6 with the value “0x2142”. The bit 6 is turned off by default. Its default value is “0x2102”.
To turn the bit 6 on, let’s issue the following command : confreg 0x2142
- After turning the bit 6 on, we need to reset the device by issuing this command : reset
- Because no startup configuration is loaded at this point, the router will ask you if you want to use setup mode, answer no
- Next, hit Enter to enter user mode
- Next, type enable and hit Enter to go into privileged mode
Note: Notice here that you have not been prompted for a password when entering the privileged mode
- Next, we need to save our new configuration by typing this command: copy startup-config running-config
Note: At this point you can feel free to set a new password.
- Finally, we need to change the configuration register back to the default one by turning off the bit 6 . To do so, type these following commands:
config t
config-register 0x2102


